Apto Commercial Real Estate Blog

As a commercial real estate broker, your business depends on strong relationships. Whether it’s with a prospect, client, architect, lender, developer, or admin, building a strong rapport with that person is essential to a successful business (and a happy life, for that matter).

And it’s easy enough to befriend people you get along with, but what about those who challenge or annoy you? Creating rapport with those people is arguably even more important.

Rather than succumb to your frustration, you can use relationship-building techniques to make a friend out of just about anyone. Whether you’re trying to win over a new client, strengthen an existing relationship or turn an adversary into a friend, the techniques in this ebook will help you build strong, lasting bonds.

Here’s a preview:

Ask for a favor.

While it might seem completely antithetical in an interaction with a superior or a client, asking for a favor is actually one of the best ways to get someone on your side. It’s called the Benjamin Franklin effect. The theory states that someone who has done you one favor is more likely to do you another. So, for example, if you’re looking to be promoted, consider asking your boss if she will have lunch with you to go over a presentation you are working on. If she says yes, chances are she will be more likely to demonstrate similar or greater willingness to help in the future.